Chile’s vast coastline that spans its length is home to more than 8,000 islands located in the South Pacific. The two most famous, all of which are equally unique, are: Easter Island, the land of the mysterious Moai and Chiloe Island, a place steeped in tradition and legends. Two islands, two cultures, one country,
TRANSFER & WELCOMING RAPA NUI DINNER
Our travelers will be received at Mataveri Airport in Rapa Nui (Name of the Island in local language). Our staff will hand in the itinerary along with some tips to get around the Island. During the afternoon, we will pick you up from the hotel at around 6:00 PM to enjoy of one of the best restaurants in Rapa Nui. The typical food of the Island in based on Sea Food; fish and Shellfish are highly relevant to the “pascuense” diet.
Around 9:00 pm we will go to the Kari Kari Cultural Center, to be witnesses of a Rapa Nui cultural performance. Each one of the dances represent daily life in the island, fishing, hunting, love or war, that is why we can see great strength on the movements of the dancers who will not cease to surprise us. We will later return to our hotel in Easter Island.
TREKKING ORONGO + HORSEBACK RIDING TEREVAKA
Early morning we will head to the Ana Kai Tangata cave, the bird drawings in its walls represent the Manutara (sea swallows); their eggs where the main goal behind the annual birdman competition. Later, we will visit the Vinapu, an archaeological site known for the huge basalt pieces that match each other precisely just like the Inca constructions in Cuzco.
Then, we will arrive at the Rano Kau Volcano, an icon of the Island, it is here that we find the Orongo Ceremonial Village; the place where the birdman ceremony was held to, along with the king, name the new political and spiritual leader for the upcoming year.
In the afternoon, we will begin our horseback riding towards Maunga Kuma and the crater of the Maunga Terevaka, the highest point on the Island where we will enjoy an amazing 360 degree view of Rapa Nui.
At this point some of us can return to the town or close the day with the Ahu Akivi and its seven Moais, wonderfully kept in the archaeological center of Roiho. The seven Moais represent the first seven explorers sent by King Hoty Mata to survey the island; these are the only Moais that are “facing” the ocean.
SNORKEL MOTUS + TONGARIKI & ANAKENA
Depart from your hotel heading south of the island, towards the ceremonial center of Orongo. In front of this center lay three small portions of land, which in addition to the largest island, form part of the Los Motus archipelago. Among these islands you will perform your snorkeling activity, which will result in an overwhelming and fascinating experience. In the warm and clear waters you will find coral reefs, fish of various colors, and with a little luck sea turtles. In the afternoon we will head to the east of the island to visit the Ahu Vaihu and Akahanga, temples formed by platforms or stone altars where Moais and Pukaos are assembled together.
Continuing our trip, we will go to Rano Raraku, a volcanic crater formed of consolidated ash, which contains also a lagoon. Then we will visit the most surprising Ahu, a ceremonial platform on the island: Ahu Tongariki. It has 15 huge Moais, but in fact, it is Te Pito Kura which has the largest statue erected on an Ahu, the Moai Paro, with 10 meters high and 85 tons in weight. Next to Te Pito Kura we will find a large spherical stone which is identified as the navel of the world - Te Pito o Te Henua. Finally, we will finish our day resting at Anakena, the most popular one on the island. Aside from its natural beauty, what makes this beach so distinctive is that the row of Moais are not facing the ocean, a truly unique landscape to enjoy before we return to our hotel.
TONGARIKI SUNRISE EXPERIENCE & RAPA NUI FAREWELL
We will leave our hotel in Easter Island around 6:00 AM to wander at the sunrise next to the biggest altar in Rapa Nui, Ahu Tongariki. Due to its location this is the best place on the Island to see the sun rise over the 15 Moais that are part of this Ahu or Altar. The combination of colors, the sea and the historical Moais bring magic and mysticism to the place. No doubt at all, the perfect scenario to end our Rapa Nui experience.
We will return to our hotel, to later take the transfer that will drive us to the Mataveri Airport for a “pascuense” farewell.
Easter Island | Half Day Experience
Easter Island | Half Day Experience
To learn how to surf is an experience on its own, but to do it in Rapa Nui is unforgettable. Our travelers will leave the hotel towards Pea Beach, close to the Hanga Roa village. It is here where our instructors will give us the theoretical class, we will try on our suits and learn the first position on the board, learn how to catch a wave and how to stand on the board. After the class we will enjoy of a cocktail to return to our hotel.
Easter Island | Half Day Experience
Easter Island | Half Day Experience
This time we will reach the highest point on the Island for a 360 degree view of Rapa Nui. We will begin our horseback riding towards Maunga Kuma and the crater of the Maunga Terevaka, where, aside from viewing the whole island, our eyes will be able to see the curvature of the Earth. The experience continues northeast to Anakena, here we can enjoy its warm waters. At this point some of us can return to the hotel or close the day with the Ahu Akivi and its seven Moais wonderfully kept in the archaeological center of Roiho. The seven Moais represent the first seven explorers sent by King Hoty Mata to survey the island; these are the only Moais that are “facing” the ocean.
Chiloe Island | Full Day Experience
Chiloe Island | Full Day Experience
Our experience begins with a stop at the “Feria Campesina de Castro” to enjoy of a “Chilote Café” (coffee, home-made bread and some farm fresh eggs). We will walk around the market while the business owners talk to us about their produce; from algae to home-made jam. We will continue to Llicaldad, to visit a local farm and its organic crops, base of the chilota diet.
We will have lunch at Travesia Restaurant, where its chef and owner Lorna Muñoz will open the doors to her kitchen and teach us how to prepare its best recipes. We will also spend the afternoon with Renato Cardenas, co-owner of the restaurant and gastronomy historian who will teach us about the evolution of the cousine in Chiloé. To end this experience, you will be given a signed copy of the book “Chiloé, contado desde la cocina” (Chiloé, told from the kitchen”).
Chiloe Island | Full Day Experience
Chiloe Island | Full Day Experience
Early morning, our travelers will go from Castro to the Chepu River, north of the Chiloé Island. Before we begin our journey, we will have a safety talk and get instructions for our Kayaking.
We will star our route visiting underwater forests and its great variety of flora and fauna – among them: pájaro cachudito (Anairetes Parulus), black neck swans (Cygnus melanchorypus) and the peregrine falcon (Falco Peregrinus). Later we will have the oportunity to meet a colonist family; we will visit their organic farm and enjoy a typical lunch with vegetables from the farm and some Chilote potatoes, famous by its colors and flavors. A small trekking after lunch - exploring the flora and the valdivian temperate rain forest - is the perfect way to seal the day and return to Castro.
Chiloe Island | Full Day Experience
Chiloe Island | Full Day Experience
Our travelers will go from Castro to Dalcahue to visit the biggest handcraft and food market in Chiloé. We will have a close look to the Palafitos Chilotes to continue to visit the Dolores de Dalcahue Church, located in front of the Plaza de Armas (main square) famous by its architecture consisting in wooden portico built by the end of the 19th Century which caused it to be declared World Heritage by UNESCO, just like other 16 wooden churches in the Island. After this stop we will cross over to Quinchao Island, the second largest island on the archipelago a true jewelry when it comes to wooden architecture (made of Alerce). After lunch we will visit Curaco de Velez, built on the same style of architecture dating back from the end of the 18th Century, after our last stop, we will return to Castro.
Chiloe Island | Full Day Experience
Chiloe Island | Full Day Experience
Our travelers will go from Castro to Cucao, located in the south west side of the Chiloé Island. We will first visit Huillinco, its wooden dock and its unique cemetery; to continue, and bording the Huillinco and Cucao Lakes, we will arrive to the beautifull Rahue Beach.
Our experience continues with a small trekking through the Chiloé National Park and its beautiful valdivian temperate rain forest to, after an energizing lunch, visit Chonchi and its church, also declared UNESCO world Heritage.
